The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture praised today the work carried out by Azorean teachers under the "Prof DA" project, an initiative aimed at solving learning difficulties that will be extended to middle school students.
Avelino Meneses spoke in Ribeira Grande at the opening of the training event 'Re ... thinking the teaching of mathematics: dynamics of promoting school success." The government official pointed out that, among those underway through the integrated plan for the promotion of school success ProSucesso - Azores for Education, the "Prof DA" project is "revolutionising" the teaching of Mathematics in Elementary School.
Avelino Meneses said this project, already implemented in all elementary schools in the Azores, under the coordination of the university professor Ricardo Teixeira, will now be extended to middle school students.
With the implementation of this project, it was possible to verify that, in the specific case of Mathematics, a "decrease" in the test scores "poor" and "fair" and an increase in the scores "good" and "very good," which brings "encouragement" to all agents involved in the sector.
"More than that, we understand that the key to success lies in improving student support systems," Avelino Meneses said, adding that the earlier this happens, "the better to avoid converting these early difficulties into permanent ones."
The Regional Secretary pointed out that it was precisely "to anticipate the inconveniences of school failure and early dropout" that the Government of the Azores has built ProSucesso - Azores for Education, a plan in which "projects" and initiatives intended to overcome learning difficulties come together.
The "Prof DA" project started in September 2015 and consists of a network of 50 teachers covering all school establishments of the regional education system.